Romel’s death: Protesters demand trial

Leaders and activists of left-leaning political parties today demanded immediate trial and punishment of those responsible for the death of Romel Chakma, an indigenous college student who was picked up by the army on April 5.

They came up with the demand addressing a rally in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh in Dhaka under the banner of Citizens against Repression.

Jahanagirnagar University Prof Anu Muhammad, also member secretary of national committee to protect oil, gas, mineral resources, power and ports, demanded investigation of all killing incidents in the hill tracts.

He also called upon the government to resolve land related problems in the three hill districts.

Jatiya Mukti Council general secretary Foyzul Hakim Lala, Bangladesh Chhatra Union general secretary Liton Nandi and former president Baki Billah, publisher Robin Ahsan, among others, also spoke in the rally.

Romel, an HSC examinee and a leader of Pahari Chhatra Parishad, was picked up from a village market in Naniarchar upazila of Rangamati. His death sparked protests in the hill tracts as well as in Dhaka.

It remains unclear how the visually impaired youth, aged 20, died.

On April 22, ISPR Director Lt Col Mohammad Rashidul Hasan said Romel was picked up in connection with two cases filed over torching a truck and looting two buses.

They handed Romel over to the Naniarchar police the same day, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) official told The Daily Star over the phone.

He added that the young man died on April 19 at CMCH where he was being treated in police custody and the allegation of torture on him by the army was false.